ATLETIIIIIIII

New experiences this weekend!

Friday, went to a discoteca in Madrid for the first time and found out making my own plans better than following others. It wasn't not fun, but there were a few unpleasant moments that I could have avoided had I planned my own evening. Also, I paid more money than I wanted to and went to a place I wouldn't have chosen, but definitely a good experience overall. We went with one of our Spanish friends too!! A triumph and an asset, considering Bridget and I hadn't been to Madrid for a night out yet. I am impressed with my ability to take care of myself and not be pushed around here, but still need to learn that many Spaniards do just want to talk and don't have hidden motives. I don't have to put up a wall for everyone. And to finish the evening, we got churros and had a fun conversation with a group of guys from Barcelona. They were in Madrid this weekend to celebrate one of them having a baby. Found out that children without marriage is actually a big thing here. They were all 30, and one of them has been with woman and living with her for over 6 years and they're not married. Really nice people!! Also, one of Bridget's good friends and my friend is visiting this weekend, so we got to see her! So nice to see someone from Skidmore. Really nice feeling.

New experience yesterday: Got my haircut! I'm still deciding whether or not RIP. The woman who cut my hair definitely cut my hair very Spanish, so today I'm having a difficult time styling it the way I like. I need some scissors... When my host mom saw me, she was like, You're not a mermaid anymore! Not the reaction I was looking for... But that doesn't mean it doesn't look good! Long hair does NOT work here, especially when I can't shower at night because my host mom believes it will make me sick. Also, my hair was getting very thin, though magically when it was cut got 5 times thicker. Also, maybe I won't attract as much unwanted attention without a mane of bright blonde. It was getting a little much at times. I think it will be a nice change to not just be seen as blonde and nothing else. Talking with my host mom and her friend this afternoon before I left for the futbol game, they def said I made the right choice and "Te queda bien" (it looks good on me/it suits me). Yeah, def gotta cut the bangs a little more. Also, had a few moments today where I feel like Mia with an upside-down yield sign. Whoops! I may be wearing buns and braids for awhile.



TODAYYY: FUTBOOOOOOL!! With Miguel. Victory. What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Almost as good as a Yankees game. So many good futbol traditions and quirks, one of which is that everyone brings a bocadillo with them and eats it at halftime. Also, that bottles are not allowed in the stadium if they have tops because then if it is thrown on the field, all the water will spill out of it before it hits a player and breaks their nose. So, to "sneak" water into the stadium, all you have to do is take the water out of your bag, take the cap off, put the cap in your pocket while walking through security (which Miguel joked that security at the stadium is the best because really they don't care) that the put it back on the moment after you go through the turnstyle, pretty much in sight of the security guy. From the start the trip was so nice! Miguel and his mujer (don't know if they're married. They have a four year old daughter, but after hearing about the non-marraige trend Friday night and seeing as Miguel doesn't wear a ring, who knows!!) drove up in their European version of a mini-van and we all drove in the car to the stadium! TOO NICE! When we finally found parking, we got out of the car, and Miguel whipped out two Atletico scarves for Bridget and me to wear. Dawww!! We met up with his crew at a restaurant (also a tradition when going to a futbol game) and had a coffee. His friends talked SOO FAST, but I was really impressed with myself that I understood everything they said! They only thing I didn't catch was a name of a singer they talked about. Miguel was so cute talking to us about all the little things fans do and know about! I could really tell he just loves futbol. The atmosphere was just what I thought it would be... Amazing! The fans are so into the game that they are almost more interesting than the game itself! So many explitives, even when things were going well. Also songs! Fans of all different types.The only downside was having to work on the project on not being able to just freely talk to people. The game ended in a tie, but whatevs. So good. And it actually rained today!!!! New experience for Spain. I thought would never come. But, of course rain means drizzle and for like 5 minutes. Still, totally brought me back to reality. I'm looking forward to going to a Real Madrid game and feeling the difference. The teams are like Mets and Yankees. Atleti is the Mets and Real Madrid is the Yankees. Had a really nice convo with all of them on the ride home and realized I am so torn. I love it so much here and I am looking forward to when I go home. I think that's a good place to be. Though, I know I will be crying when I leave here too. Vamos a ver, no? I'm just happy that I have been so lucky this semester. I have exactly two months left here!!! SCARY!!!!!



Things I do need to do: Be more impulsive with my speaking! I think in the beginning of the semester I was really not afraid to talk because I knew that was the only way to get by. Now that I feel more comfortable, I feel more self concious and have a harder time just jumping into conversation. Although I understood what Miguel's friends were saying, I didn't really respond. Bridget was on her game this weekend and just got in there. Gotta do that.

Tomorrow I have another one of the art history trips. Super pumped!! I love going to the museums here. They are sooo goooooood!!!!